A man accused of being involved in illegal waste dumping was criticised for, “unnecessarily drawing out proceedings”, brought by the Environment Agency.

Peter Robert Snailum was one of four men accused of two counts of depositing controlled/extractive waste without a permit.

One count stated that between January 15 and March 31, 2020, mixed construction and demolition waste, plus soil and stone, was dumped at School House Farm, at Kiln Pitt Hill, near Consett.

The second charge stated that deposited waste, including shredded wood, plastic and metal fabric, foam insulation and roofing felt, was dumped at the site, between March 4, and May 15, 2021.

(Image: The Environment Agency) While three co-accused admitted the charge and were fined by magistrates, 63-year-old Snailum, of Stanners Farm, Whitworth, near Spennymoor, opted to elect trial at the crown court.

He denied both charges when he initially appeared at the crown court in May, on the basis the amount of waste deposited did not exceed his permitted limit.

Simon Clegg, for the Environment Agency, said it was his understanding that the defendant had an exemption for only 1,000 tonnes and any more than that would require a permit.

The court heard that the agency believed more than 6,000 tonnes of waste were deposited at the site.

(Image: The Environment Agency) Following discussion with lawyers, the defendant subsequently changed his pleas to guilty to both charges and Judge Jo Kidd asked for details of his financial circumstances, to deal with the case by way of a fine and costs order.

On the defendant’s return to court to be sentenced yesterday (Wednesday, October 16) the judge referred to the document setting out his financial situation.

His counsel, Glenn Gatland, said the defendant was of limited means with court orders against him.

Mr Gatland said Snailum told him he was a full-time carer, “night and day”, for his ill mother.

Judge Kidd adjourned for a stand-down report to be prepared by the Probation Service to explore the alternatives to a financial penalty.

Following an outline of his circumstances, Judge Kidd said as the defendant appears to receive “minimal benefits” she would not make a costs order, as, “you can’t get blood out of a stone.”

But she criticised Snailum’s attitude to the Environment Agency during its inquiries.

(Image: The Environment Agency) “He was told repeatedly by officers attending his property he was contravening regulations, and his response was repeatedly that: ‘All you will do is fine me’.

She told the defendant: “You have drawn out proceedings unnecessarily.

“You chose to elect a trial by jury and pleaded not guilty at the first hearing in circumstances where the evidence was overwhelming, in light of the fact three co-accused pleaded guilty in the lower court.”

She said the proceedings had been a waste of public money, plus time and costs to the Environment Agency, during a period that the courts are struggling to deal with more serious cases.

Imposing a 12-month community order concurrently on both charges, the judge ordered the defendant to perform 90 hours’ of unpaid work.

He must also pay a £114 statutory court surcharge, with a collection order made to recover the money in 14 days.

(Image: The Environment Agency) Speaking after the hearing, Gary Wallace, Area Environment Manager for the Environment Agency in the North East, said: ““Waste crime such as this has a negative impact on the environment and local communities.

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"Those involved were warned they were breaching the law.

“Their actions also undermined legitimate businesses as they made financial gains by not properly and legally disposing of the waste.”

He added: “I hope this case sends out the message to others that we take waste crime seriously and those involved can expect to be put before the courts for their actions.”